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Understanding The Lunar Cycles
Setting intentions that stick so that you can manifest your desires and a soul-aligned life begins with understanding the rhythm of creation and your own personal energy.
The Sun and The Moon
Take a look at your sun sign and your moon sun and see what you might need to know about yourself.
Sun Sign is your outward self.
Moon Sign is your inward self.
Progressed Moon is your current attitude toward life or what your are currently seeking.
MOON PHASES
New Moon
Set your intentions, visualize them coming into being, and feel what it will be like to have this intention come to life.
Crescent Moon
Breathe life into your intention and know that it will happen.
First Quarter Moon
Take specific action to bring your intention into being.
Gibbous Moon
Trust in Divine Timing and know that the universe will deliver the perfect thing for you at the perfect time.
Full Moon
Move forward with your intention and continue manifesting, or, release it and anything else that is preventing you from moving forward.
Disseminating Moon
Practice gratitude as your intention manifests into being or as you become stronger and wiser as you work toward this intention.
Third Quarter Moon
Give back in a meaningful way to honor your abundance. Give back to yourself or someone else.
Balsamic Moon
Reflect on all that has come to pass over this moon cycle and rest.
Dark Moon
The Dark Moon is observed by some in the wild world of witchery and occurs on the astrological day of the New Moon. This is the time when the moon is at is absolute darkest and can’t be seen with a standard telescope. Those whole work with the Dark Moon believe that the New Moon is the following day when the tiniest sliver of light would be visible with a telescope. At this point in time, the Moon would be visibly new!
Working with and acknowledging the Dark Moon as a Moon phase allows for the opportunity to simply be. Throughout lunar cycle we are setting intentions, growing possibilty, celebrating, releasing, reflecting…always going!
The Dark Moon is an invitation to breathe and be free from the the desire to DO something or even think about what you might do.
Incorporating the Dark Moon into your magical or spiritual practice can bring some questions.
When do I set intentions? What if the Moon changes signs between the Dark Moon and the “New Moon”? What sign do I work with?
I would suggest working with the sign for the astrological New Moon, even if you honor that day as the Dark Moon. The Full Moon is almost always in the sign opposite to the New Moon and the New Moon is always in whatever sign the Sun is in. It is this balance and opposing energy that we are working with during a lunar cycle. The exception to this is during a Solar Eclipse which is a whole other topic!
All that said, there is no single ‘right’ way to do anything and my recommendation my Darling’s is always to do whatever feels best for you. You certainly aren’t going to hurt anything!
LUNAR CYCLE OVERVIEW
New Moon to Full Moon
This is the waxing half of the moon cycle. This two week time period is the optimal time to bring things your way or create new things into being. This is also a great time to plant annuals or plants that flower above ground. As the moon moves from the New Moon Phase to the Full Moon phase, it becomes more and more visible in the night sky. Do work during this time to manifest or attract something your way.
Full Moon to New Moon
The two week period from the Full Moon back to a New Moon is the perfect time to banish or release things from your life. Known as the waning moon period, this is a less active time than the first two weeks when the moon is moving from New to Full. Here we are settling in and resting up a bit before a brand new lunar cycle begins. If you are looking to plant something during these two weeks, it is recommended that you plant perennials or root vegetables.
Darkling Tip!
If you miss the cycle that you wanted to work with, simply reverse your intention or working. For you example, if you want to bring relaxation into your life but forget to set that intention during the waxing moon phases, simply banish stress at the waning moon!
MOON TYPES
Blood Moon
A Blood Moon is said to occur during a total lunar eclipse. During these events the Earth is situated between the Sun and the Moon and the light from Earth’s atmosphere causes the Moon to look red.
Super Moon
A Super Moon occurs when the Moon appears to be larger than normal. This happens because the Moon is at it’s closest orbital point to the Earth. Some say that this heightens the Moon’s effects on life here on Earth.
Blue Moon
A Blue Moon occurs when there are two Full Moons in one calendar month or four Full Moons in one season. Both of these happen about every two and a half years, hence the phrase, “once in a Blue Moon”!
Black Moon
A Black Full Moon occurs during a month in which there is no Full Moon. This can only happen in February as it has 28 calendar days. A Black Moon is a modern construct that only applies to the Solar calendar.
Lunar Eclipse
During a Lunar Eclipse the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon. Because the Sun illuminates the Moon, this leaves the Moon dark. This darkness is said to allow our innermost thoughts to surface and we are given the invitation to lean into the change that this can bring and tend to what We’ve avoided. This happens at a Full Moon.
Solar Eclipse
During a Soalr Eclipse, the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth. This takes the light away from our outward lives and our ability to achieve. Here are forced to find new ways to reach our goals and get creative. Double down on your resolve and intention setting during a Soalr Eclipse. This happens at a New Moon.
MOON NAMES
There are many websites and social media graphics circulating around with different Moon names. Many of these originate from Native American names for the Full Moons. The names listed on this page are most common for the Northern Hemisphere but there are many, many other Moon names. If you are interested in working with Moon names, I suggest doing some research into the area in which you live. What Moon names apply to your natural environment? Or, investigate your ancestral lineage and see what names they may have had for the Full Moons.
Alternatively, name your own Moons! If you live in Florida the Cold Moon may not be super applicable to you. What are some traditions that you have and what is happening in your environment that might lend to a fun Moon name?
Common Moon Names
January: Full Wolf Moon
February: Full Snow Moon
March: Full Worm
Moon April: Full Pink Moon
May: Full Flower Moon
June: Full Strawberry Moon
July: Full Buck Moon
August: Full Sturgeon Moon
September: Full Harvest Moon
October: Full Hunter’s Moon
November: Full Beaver Moon
December: Full Cold Moon
PERSONAL SEASONS
We all have different relationships with the four natural seasons of the year and all have different seasons within ourselves and our daily lives.
A reflective tool that can help you to really dig deep in the various seasons and see where you are in different areas of your life. You may want to use this tool to simply record the four seasons and the things that you love to do during those times or the to-do list items that you would love to accomplish. You can record how you feel emotionally and physically and use this as a planning tool.
Where are you in different areas of your life. Is your career in a Winter, Spring, Summer, or Autumn phase? Your family life? Your health and wellness? How can you tell and how can you release into whatever phase you are in instead of fighting against it?
Here are some highlights of each season:
Winter – Sleep, death, stagnation, quiet, inward
Spring – Quickening, awakening, re-birth, new growth
Summer – Alive, energized, forward movement, outward
Autumn – Slowing, reflective, gratitude, harvest, release
PERSONAL DAILY CYCLES
While natural cycles are happening within us and around us, we are all experiencing our own energetic cycles throughout the day.
We ebb and flow during certain times and can relate these back to the idea of seasons. What is your “summer” portion of the day? Your “spring”, etc.?
Knowing where we can really hit the gas hard and where we should let off and Relax can help us to plan our energy so that we are best using it.
The more we live in resistance, the harder life appears to be.
Take some time and reflect on your daily cycles. Over time really observe these and see what you can learn about yourself and how you can use this tool to best plan your days.
WHEEL OF THE YEAR
We have looked at working with the Moon and making great Lunar intentions and working with your own seasonal energies, ebbs and flows. For our ancestors, working with the seasons through the year was an essential part of planning and intention setting.
Although, for many of us, modern technology and lifestyle has made it possible to have light, warmth and plenty of food throughout the year, it is still super powerful to work with the seasonal energies and to focus our Lunar planning to make goals and intentions that align with the ‘turning of the wheel’ as the Sun moves through the Zodiac and the seasons.
The Wheel of the Year is an ancient calendar, based on the Sun’s journey through the Zodiac and the seasons. The wheel turns through eight main celebrations, or Sabbats that mark the seasons. The Sabbats themselves are great moments to pause, take in the energy of the season, celebrate it, give thanks for it and use it to align ourselves with or goals and intentions. It is important to remember that they are not individual, isolated days but seasons.
The Sun passes through each of the Zodiac Signs on its journey through the year, spending around 30 days in each. During that time, there will be a New Moon in the same sign as the Sun and a Full Moon in the opposite sign.
The energy of the Zodiac Sign the Sun is in at any time, along with the New Moon in each month aligns with the energy of the season. It is a great idea to make an intention that reflects the energy of that sign and season.
For example, Aries is the first Zodiac Sign and the beginning of Spring. The Aries New Moon is a great time to make an intention around new beginnings, bringing new ideas into being, new innovations etc. The Scorpio Moon is at the beginning of the dark months and is a great time to make an intention about looking inward and working on an aspect of your shadow self.
Well my Darkling’s it is my hope that this clears up the moon cycles a little more for you.
With Lunar Love and Moon Magic,
Astro Mia
Want to find out what your Astrological Horscope Forecast for the year is?.
If you want to know what is happening for each month, astrologically speaking, I make a Monthly Forecast, so you can navaigate yourself through the stars. You can always find this information in my group on Face book. Join The Lighthouse Group on Facebook. (Always under the Announcement tab.)
Check out some of my other Blogs, on Journaling, Journaling, Grounding & Shadow Work, Shadow Work, Shadow work: Steps to emotional Healing .
I also provide Protection DIY Kits & Spell Kits. Email me for more information.
Divine Direction by Mia is an online service dedicated to providing simple and profound guidance to those looking for clarity and direction on their life journey; and others who are interested in learning about the practical applications of Astrology.
